Ah i didn't know the Merlin Cycles were entirely in house with just the Rock Lobster name. Surely though Paul Sadoff would have some say in how the taiwanese frames were built otherwise they could damage his cred ?

Ah i didn't know the Merlin Cycles were entirely in house with just the Rock Lobster name. Surely though Paul Sadoff would have some say in how the taiwanese frames were built otherwise they could damage his cred ?

I believe there was a top level model Sadoff had a hand in that was also distributed through Merlin, and you can order a Sadoff custom frame through Merlin.

But I think they are mostly badged up efforts as per that review on the previous page. Dunno if / how much hand Sadoff had in the design, but the price indicates not a massive amount.

Ah i didn't know the Merlin Cycles were entirely in house with just the Rock Lobster name. Surely though Paul Sadoff would have some say in how the taiwanese frames were built otherwise they could damage his cred ?

I believe there was a top level model Sadoff had a hand in that was also distributed through Merlin, but they were mostly badged up efforts as per that review on the previous page.

So by 97 they would have been the mass produced variety made by Merlin with just the Rock Lobster badge??

Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 12:33 pmPosts: 11108Location: The Home Of Mountain Biking, And All Great Things.

danson67 wrote:

He's a wonderfully opinionated old curmudgeon up against the artsy-craftys Portland set.Overopinionatedframebuilder is his other blog, as opposed to the clean one on his site.

I particularly like his NAHBS post:

Quote:

...one can only begin to imagine what kind of incredible artistry will be gracing the halls of the next handmade bike show. Ideally, you won't be able to afford it and if all goes to plan, you wouldn't be able to ride it.......that, in bike show talk is a masterpiece.

Oh, and they are named after the B52s

All the best,

Yes, that is hilarious.

"So, with those circumstances you will all have to settle for this: The 2012 Show Bike guidelines, at least how I see it. The categories will each have a set of standards, each more 'exclusive' and prestigious than the last.

Builder's waiting list:1. Builder has a 3 month waiting list.2. Builder has a 1 year waiting list3. Builder has a 3 year waiting list4. Builder has a 6 year waiting list.5. Builder's list is now closed.6. Builder's list was never opened.

Sales points as to exclusivity of show bike:1. Limited edition of only 5 frames2. This frame would max out your credit card3. Taking out a second mortgage would be needed to fund this frame purchase4. Selling testicle would be needed to purchase this frame5. Selling one kidney would be needed to purchase this frame6. Selling both kidnleys would be needed to purchase this frame

Marketing philosophy:1. This frame would be good for anyone2. This frame would be good for almost anyone3. This is a luxury item for special people only4. This is a luxury item for one special person or less

Method of construction:1. Hand brazed with an oxy-acetylene torch2. Brazed with mapp gas3. Hearth brazed with rendered fat from free-range chickens4. Brazed with methane extracted from the anus of free range livestock

Materials selected for construction:1. Good steel2. The best steel3. The very best steel4. Slightly better than the very best steel5. N.O.S. cryogenically stored steel previously owned by a succession of deceased framebuilders who never got around to using it to build a frame

With these guidelines, one can only begin to imagine what kind of incredible artistry will be gracing the halls of the next handmade bike show. Ideally, you won't be able to afford it and if all goes to plan, you wouldn't be able to ride it.......that, in bike show talk is a masterpiece."

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